“Goodbye to a rock n roll legend” FATS DOMINO
by Desmond Kelly
And so we say “goodbye” to another rock n roll legend, Fats Domino, born Feb.26,1928 & died on Oct.25th 2017, aged 89 years. A pianist, singer, song-writer, of New Orleans-style music, he will be remembered for many songs, one of the best being Blueberry Hill. His full name was Antoine Domino Jnr., affectionately nicknamed “Fats” because of his chubby look, he would sit down at a piano, play & sing in his own inimitable style, either “backing” dozens of other vocalists or doing his “solo” rock numbers with a flair, all of his own. He reminded me very much of another piano-legend of Lanka by the name of Gerry Crake.
Legends such as these, make for “original rock & roll music”, who could play any other type of music as well, making the old “piano” talk.Fats had a thumping style of playing & his music had even the “King of Pop”
Elvis Presley complimenting him on his efforts. He sold over 110 million records. His “boogie-woogie” hits and his easy laid-back style of singing made everything sound so easy, but the fact of the matter was that only people like Fats could make very popular entertainment sound & look easy. Whenever I backed myself on keyboards, especially if I tried a Fats Domino style song, I did it as a tribute to the great man.
The song “Judy” was recorded by me as a tribute to both Elvis & Fats Domino.
Some of the Fats Domino songs HE will always be remembered for are, “Blue Monday”, “I want you to know”, “Blueberry Hill” & “Walking to New Orleans”, to name just a few. “AIN’T IT A SHAME” Fats Domino. You are now gone, but rest in peace now. God bless you. Desmond Kelly.
